Red Bull are expecting some good news about their engine freeze proposal. The Milton Keynes-based team faces an uncertain future in F1 as their engine supplier, Honda has decided to pull out of the sport in 2022.
Red Bull have put forward this proposal as this would allow them to take over Honda’s infrastructure and engine design and utilize it until they can develop engines further.
But, for this to happen, there needs to be a freeze on engine development across the board in F1. This has faced resistance from rival teams due to self-interest on the rivals’ part.
February 21 has been penciled as the date on which the World Council of FIA would convene to vote on the matter.
Red Bull motorsport consultant Helmut Marko(77) is very optimistic about the chances of the proposal getting the required backing.
“We need six of the ten votes from the teams,” says Red Bull honcho Marko
The Austrian in an interview said that he’s optimistic about the engine freeze taking place. He said, “We need six of the ten votes from the teams, which means only a simple majority.”
“I assume that in addition to Red Bull and Toro Rosso, the three Ferrari teams, Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, and Haas, as well as Renault, will also agree.”
He explains why the Ferrari-powered teams and Renault dithered over their votes in the last summit. He said that they will fall in line now as the required legal amendments have been made to their satisfaction.
This would leave Mercedes and its customer teams in a sticky position and may nullify whatever advantage they may have gained.
Why the engine freeze would be good for the sport
This engine freeze when put into effect would coincide with the implementation of the new regulations from 2022.
This would also save the current teams and manufacturers potentially millions. This would also pave the way for future manufacturers to enter the sport.
This comes on the back of the impact that the Corona Virus had on team finances. This would also help gear the sport towards self-sustainability.
